Capital Beltway(Washington DC) vs. I95

[dawz1026]

Could someone tell me what the mileage difference is if we do the Beltway instead of staying on I95??

 

[cey]

I am interested in this question as well. My apologies for highjacking! Also does week day rush hour traffic last all day or does it fade out 10-2 pm?

 

[vicki_c]

Have no idea on the mileage issue - Google maps should be able to answer that question. But in general, if you are talking about taking the Beltway over towards VA and around the west side of DC - don't do it due to traffic and massive construction. (The reason why I make the statement the way I do is because 495 actually goes around Washington DC on both sides - the VA side and the MD side - on the MD side, it is 95/495, so I assume that's not what you are talking about.)

And yes traffic is lessened from 10-2 (and at night 8 PM or so until about 5:30 AM), but you can't avoid construction issues.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Stay on 95. It is shorter, less confusing, and traffic will be the same either way (though, as PP said, taking 495 west has construction)

As for rush hour: I'd say you are safe from 10:00-3:00.

 

[dawz1026]

Thanks! Im driving Saturday..hopefully no traffic around 8am-9am

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Thanks! Im driving Saturday..hopefully no traffic around 8am-9am

There will be no traffic at all. Generally, there is no traffic around DC on weekends, all day.

 

[nytimez]

That construction is a nightmare. I was caught in it once coming north. I actually got off and onto I-66, drove basically at random through the city on local streets, during rush hour just guessing my way and still felt like I made it out of the area faster.

Next time, I'll stay on 95!

 

[dawz1026]

where is this construction exactly? If I stay on 95 will I hit it?

 

[chrpai]

I haven't lived in NoVA ( Springfield ) since 2003 when they were still working on the mixing bowl. Would it make sense to just drive down the MD side and come over to Virginia via US 301? It's a pretty drive from what I remember.

 

[nytimez]

where is this construction exactly? If I stay on 95 will I hit it?

Here's a map of it.

 

[vicki_c]

I haven't lived in NoVA ( Springfield ) since 2003 when they were still working on the mixing bowl. Would it make sense to just drive down the MD side and come over to Virginia via US 301? It's a pretty drive from what I remember.

I live in MD, but that's the way we prefer to go, down through Waldorf (there is a bypass down there now that can avoid some traffic lights). But we pretty much always go that way.

 

[vicki_c]

Here's a map of it.

LOL - hadn't seen that map, but I've driven through a bit of it! Darn - now I'm depressed - I have to drive to Sterling and Falls Church tomorrow.